Arnout Schuijff: A life of innovation and leadership

Overview:

Arnout Schuijff is a Dutch billionaire and a leading figure in the asset management industry. He is the founder and CEO of Finch Capital, a venture capital firm based in Amsterdam that invests in innovative technology startups across Europe and Southeast Asia. He also serves as an advisor and board member to several other companies, including Bitso, Grab, and Remitly. With a net worth of $1.1 billion, Schuijff is one of the wealthiest people in the Netherlands.

Early Life and Education:

Arnout Schuijff was born on June 9, 1973, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. His father was a businessman who owned a chain of hardware stores. Schuijff showed an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, starting his first business selling chess sets at the age of 10. He attended Erasmiaans Gymnasium, a prestigious high school in Rotterdam, where he excelled academically and was captain of the school’s debate team.

After graduating from high school, Schuijff went on to study economics and business administration at Erasmus University in Rotterdam. He was a bright student and graduated with honors in 1995. He also earned an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France, in 1999.

Career and Achievements:

Schuijff began his career in finance working for various investment banks and private equity firms, including Goldman Sachs and Doughty Hanson. In 2002, he co-founded AdfoCreatives, an online marketplace for creative professionals, which he later sold to Sanoma Corporation in 2006.

In 2008, Schuijff founded Lunatech Ventures, a technology investment firm based in Rotterdam. Lunatech Ventures focused on early-stage investments in startups in the Netherlands and quickly became one of the most successful venture capital firms in the country. Schuijff served as CEO of Lunatech Ventures until 2013 when he left to start Finch Capital.

At Finch Capital, Schuijff has continued his focus on early-stage investments in innovative technology startups. The firm has invested in several successful companies across Europe and Southeast Asia, including Bitso, a Mexican cryptocurrency exchange, and Remitly, a Seattle-based digital remittance service. In 2020, Finch Capital raised a €150 million fund to back European and Southeast Asian startups.

In addition to his work with Finch Capital, Schuijff is also an advisor and board member to several other companies. He is a board member of Grab Holdings, a Singapore-based ride-hailing and delivery company, and he advises several startups in the fintech and insurtech industries.

Personal Life:

Arnout Schuijff is married and has two children. He is known for his philanthropic work and is a strong advocate for promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the Netherlands. He serves on the board of trustees for the Erasmus Trustfonds, a charitable foundation that supports the Erasmus University in Rotterdam.

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